pierson



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J. S. PIERSON.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFAOTURE 0F GAS.

Patented Jan. 31,1882.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2..

J. s. PIERSON A APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS.

No. 252,967." Patented Jan. 31,1882.

4 SheetsSheet 3..

(No Model.)

J. S. PIERSON.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUPAGTURE OF GAS.

Patented Jan. 31,1882.

N. PETERS. Phn\oLi\hogmphnr. Washington, 11c.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

J. s. PIERSON. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE. OF GAS.

Patented Jan. 31,1882.

ggmwa Wm N PETERS, Pluolo-Lilhognphen Washington, D. c

UNITED STATES ATENT rare.

JAMES S. PIERSON, OF PLAIS FIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN GAS FUEL AND LIGHT COMPANY, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,967, dated January 31, 1882.

Application filed March 5, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that .1, JAMES S. PIERSON, of Plainlield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Illuminating and HeatingG-as, of which the following is aspecification.

In Letters Patent granted to T. S. O. Lowe, September 21, 1875, No. 167,847, and in Letters Patent granted to M. H. Strong, November 13, 1877, No. 197,002, and November 5, 1878, No. 209,630, there are described and claimed apparatus for the manufactiire of illuminating and heating gas; and my invention, as hereinafter described, embodies certain improvements in connection with themore perfect working and development of the apparatus patented as aforesaid.

In the apparatus patented as aforesaid dimculty has been experienced in the valve covering the top of the superhrater, because in operation said valve was only raised above its seat, and the flames impinged directly against the face of the valve, and were obliged to pass all around it before going up the smoke flue, thereby gradually but surely destroying the face of said valve, so that when on its seat in the gasmaking process it would not be gastight.

Difficulty has also been experienced in the door-frames to the generator, because in raking or fixing the fire the surface was exposed to being nicked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, so that when thedoor was shut it would leak and not be gas-tight, and to repair this surface it would be necessary to take the lining out of the generator, cut the rivets of the frame, and take ,it away for repairing, after which it must be re-riveted and the lining replaced, said operation involving great expense and loss of time.

Difficulty has also been experienced in not being able to see and determine the extent of fire or degree of heat in the generator and superheater between the heating and gas-making processes.

Difficulty has also been experienced in opening and shutting the air-blast valves. The rod passed up through a short post or standard on the floor, with a set-screw in the side, which pressed against the rod, and which had to be loosened and tightened with one hand while the rod was raised or lowered with the other, which made it impossible to regulate the valve as nicely as desired.

Difficulty has been experienced in connection with feeding the oil or naphtha to the generator, the construction of the distributingpan being such that any back-pressure in the generator caused it to overflow, thereby endangering the building to fire.

Dip'pipes of different sizes have been used in gas apparatus. 1 find that in the manu facture of non-luminous gas it is necessary to prevent the air passing the dip-pipe when the superheater is being heated up, and that it is also neoessaryto allow gas to escape freely past such dip-pipe; otherwise the back pressure retards the production of gas. I make use of an ordinary-sized standpipe to convey the gas from the generator, and introduce a large dippipe within the washer-casing, which acts to' exclude air from the gas-holder when the apparatus is being heated, and it allows the gas to pass through freely when gas is being made.

I overcome the first difficulty named by providing a valve sufliciently heavy in itself to retain its place on the valve-seat at the top of the superheater, and the valve is connected to and operated by a long lever which is pivoted to a support on top of the superheater, outside of the smoke-pipe. Said lever, when operated, lifts the valve from its seat and swings it to one side, and allows it to rest on brackets or supports provided for the purpose, thereby opening a clear and unobstructed passage from the super-heater up the chimney for the smoke and other products of combustion.

I overcome the second difficulty named by providing a door-frame in two parts, held together by tap-bolts at the interior corners of said frame, such construction allowing for the speedyremoval of the outer frame when injured and its replacement by a new one, thus saving time, because the working of the generator is not stopped,and also allowing ample time for re-dressing the injured surface of the frame that has been removed.

I overcome the third difficulty by combining with the superheater a sight-cock, through which the condition of the interior of the generator or superheater can be seen at a glance. It is made ofan ordinary cock, into each end of which is a small length of pipe,one pipe be: ing secured into the generator or super-heater in any convenient place and the other end into a ring-which is provided with a glass. This sight-cock is closed when not in use and opened momentarily when in use.

I overcome the fourth difficulty by providinga long rod extending from the upper story down to the lower and connected at its lower end to the air or gas valves. The upper end is provided with a handle, and said rod slides in a guide clamping device secured to the floor, and is held in position by a pivoted clamp operated by the foot of the attendant, who,when he wants the valve opened,raises this rod after relieving the clamp by his foot, and when it attains thedesired point he relievestheclamp, so that it may hold said rod in position.

I overcome the fifth ditliculty by making a receptacle for the oil from the tank or supply, and valves for the delivery of the same, and glass cylinders, through which the oil passes before it enters the pipe going to the generator.

I overcome the sixth difficulty by providing an arm and rod to the cock in the exhauststeam pipe, said parts being operated by one attendantfrom the same place at which the steam-supply is regulated, thereby saving the calling from one attendant to another, and allowing one to work both by first opening the exhaust-cock and blowing off the water of condensation, then closing it and opening the steam-cock to supply the generator in the gasmaking process.

To overcome the seventh 'difliculty I make use of a pipe from the superheater to the top of the washer, as usual, of, say, six inches diameter; but the dip-cylinder below the top of the washer, extendinginto the water, is separated from the gas-supply pipe, and it is very much larger-say sixteen inches diameterthereby providing a large space for the reception of the inflowing gas, and so that it flows more slowly and regularly through the dippipe and bubbles up through the water in the washer, instead of passing in as a mass without coming into intimate contact with the water.

' In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation, partially in section, of the gas apparatus completc. Fig. 2 is a plan of the superheater and its safety-valve. Fig. 3 is a section of the safe'ty-valvc for the generator and an elevation ofits operating-lever and support. Fig. 4 is an elevation ofoneot'the valve brackets or supports. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the door-frame of the generator. Fi 6 is a cross-section of the frame and door, showing in elevation the clamping device; and Fi 7 is an elevation of the same endwise. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the sight-cock. Fig. 9 is a section of the cap and glass belonging to said cock, in larger size;

and Fig. 10 is a plan of the same. Fig. 11 is a vertical section and partial elevation of the rod to the gas or air valve and its clamping device, and Fig. 12 is a plan of the same. Fig. 13 is an elevation and partial section of my improved oil-supplying device, and Fig.14 is a side elevation of the same. Fi 15 is an elevation and partial section, showing myarrangement for operating the steam and exhaust valves from the same place; and Fig. 16 is a plan of the operating-handles and dial. Fig. 17 is a vertical section of my improved dipcylinder as entering the washer.

A is the primary gas-generator, which consists of a casing of boiler-iron or other suitable material, lined with tire-brick or other suitable refractory material.

B is the superheater, consisting of a case of boiler-iron, lined with fire-brick and filled with loose fire brick, and it has a smoke-flue at the top.

0 is the washer, which consists of a-boileriron case or box containing water, through which the gas passes.

D E are scrubbers, made of boiler-iron and filled with coke or other suitable material, and through these the gas passes before entering the holder. The connecting pipes between these parts and the method of manufacturing illuminating or heating gas are the same as described in the aforesaid Letters Patent.

F is the safety-valve, G the door-frame, H the sight-cock, K the foot-clamp, L the oil'feed, M the steam and exhaust pipes and valves, and N the dip-pipe in the washer, all of which are more particularly'set forth in the following description.

In Fig. 3, a. is the safety-valve, made as a pot or shell of iron, having a cover and filled preferably with lead. It is connected to the lever b by means of the link 0 and pin (1. The pivot; fof the lever is supported by the standard 0, which rests upon the top of the super-heater. In Fig. SI have shown the valve a as resting upon and closing the opening in the top of the superheatcr. is made slightly bell-mouthed, so that the gases and products of combustion in passing out of the retort will not come in direct contact with the seat of the valve, thereby preventing injury to the surface upon which the valve rests. The pivot f of the lever bis swiveled in the standard 0, allowing for the swinging of the lever and valve in removing the valve from its 'seat on the top of the super-heater. The handle g is removable from the lever b, and when in place for use, as shown, its end is between two bars bolted to the end of said lever b. The third bolt, h, serves as a support for the handle 9 and a bearing for the hooked end of the handle to act against. The handle 9 may be made detached, so as to be set aside when not in use; or it may be made as'shown at F, Fig. 1, to swing up against the bent portion of b, out of the way.

In Fig. 4 one of the arms or brackets is The upper part of said opening shown, upon which the valve a rests when removed from its seat on the superheater. These arms are bolted to the top or the superheater, and their upper surface is preferably covered with brass or copper, so as not to injure the surface of the valve.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7, which show the gener' ator door and frame, t is the back portion of the frame, permanently riveted to the metal casing k of the generator. I is the front or removable portion of the frame, secured to the frame 2' by the corner interior tap-bolts, m, which bolts are screwed into lugs cast in the corners of both frames, i and l, and the faces of the lugs in the frame 1 are asufficient distance from the face of said frame to allow for dressing off the face of said outer frame in case it becomes injured. The joint between said frames is leaded, as usual, to make the same tight. The doorn is secured by hinge 0 to the front frame, I, and has cast with it the stud or projection 19, which is in the centerof said door. The swinging yoke or cotter-bar q is pivoted in the back frame, t, and through it passes the screw r, that is provided with a hand-wheel. After closing the door the arm (1 is swung out to the center and the wheel and screw r revolved, so as to press upon the projectionp and hold the door tightly to the frame. The reverse movement liberates the door, so that it can be opened.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 10, showing the sight-cock, sis the screw-ring, containing the glass t, and said ring is upon a short length of pipe. at is the cock, which is shut, except when it is opened momentarily. for observing the condition of heat in the interior of the generator or superheater, and said cock has a short length of pipe screwed to it and to the case of the generator or superheater.

Figs. 1L and 12 show the rod to the gas an( air valves and its clamping device. '1) is the rod, the upper end of which is formed with a grasping-handle, and it slides freely through a castmetal plate, to, which is bolted to the floor and against a guide-rib, m. The rod is clamped by the lever y, which is pivoted to lugs cast as a part of the plate w. By pressing down the outer end of said lever by the foot the rod is liberated, and can be raised to any desired height in opening the air-valves, and it is clamped in position by the clamp after it is liberated by removing the foot. I prefer to place a band of metal over the end of the clamping lever to prevent itbeing accidentally operated.

In Figs. 13 and 14, showing the oil-valve, e is the upper metal case or oil-distributing device. b is thelower metal frame; a, the glass cylinders between the frames, and d the bolts which hold the parts together. The pipe 6 enters the back of the case a and conveys the oil or naphtha from a tank or receptacle into the case a; and f are the pipes which convey the oil or naphtha to the generator, where it is used in the gas-making process. 9 are the cooks or valves, four of which are shown. h h are standards screwed into the case a, and

having screw-caps and packing The stems g are plain, with handle or wheel to operate them, and they are connected at the lower ends to the tapering plug or valve t", which operates in the barrel k, that is screwed into the lower part of the case a, and said valve-plugs 2" project down below the ba rels a sufficient distance to cause the oil to drop into and through the cylinder 0, and not run upon the glass. The oil or naphtha flows from the pipe 6 into the interior of the case a and fills up to the level of the holes in the valve, through wh ch it flows in a gradual and regulated stream, according-to the extent each valve is opened.

My improved oil-valve is so constrin-ted that all the parts are securely joined together, and no oil or naphtha can leak from them, and if there is a back-pressure in the generator, forcing the naphtha in the pipesto return momentarily to the valve, it cannot overflow into the building to do any damage. The cylinders e have a packing at the top and bottom, which makes them tight and prevents any leakage in case any oil accumulates in them.

In Figs. 15 and 16, showing the means of operating the steam and exhaust pipes from the same place, 1 is the steam-pipe which carries the steam to the generator for use in the gas-making process. m is the steam-cock; n, a rod for operating the same, which rod passes up through the metal case 0, secured to the floor above, and terminates in a handle above the dialp, which handle turns the rod a, opening or shutting the steam-cock the required amount, which amount is indicated by the dial pand pointerp. qis theexhaust-steam pipe. 1" is a cock operated by a lever, r, rod 8, and handle t, which rod and handle Work up or down in a slot in the case 0. By these devices one attendant can open the valve 1*, blow out the condensed steam and water, and shut said valve before opening the steam-cock m to pass steam to the generator.

In Fig. 17, showing the dip-pipe, a is the washer, containing water, through which the gas must pass before entering the scrubbers. o is the dip-pipe, which is made about sixteen. inches in diameter, and o is the riin of said dip-pipe, the outer circumference of which is bolted to the washer-casing a, and to the inner circumference of which the stand-pipe w is bolted by tap-bolts. Said dip-pipe and its rim I prefer to make together in one casting, as shown in Fig. 17. This stand-pipe w is preferably about six inches in diameter, and the gas from the gas-making snperheater comes down this pipe on its way to the washer.

I am aware that a valve moved by a lever has been employed at upper end of the pipe or stack of a furnace for the escape of gases, as in Patent N 0. 24,525, to R. W. Sievier, for blastfurnace; also, that a movable frame has been connected with the end of a retort, and that the cap and clamping cross-bar have been hinged to this frame, as in Letters Patent No. 180,104.

I claim as my inveution-- IIO 1. In an apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating or heating gas, the combination, with the superheater, of avalve-seat that is slightly bell-mouthed, aflat valve to rest upon such seat and close the superheater, a lever for lifting and moving the valve, a swiveled pivot for the lever, and the brackets for supporting the valve when the superheater is uncovered, substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus for mamifac'uring illuminating or heating gas, the combination, with the generator, of the Irame i, permanenth connected to the same, the removable t'i atnc l, lugs in the corners ot'the respet-tive parts, and bolts m, tLe door a, secured by hinges 0 to the frame l, and having a projection, p, and the swinging yoke q, pivoted to the back frame, i, and the clamping-screw r, as set forth.

3. In an apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating and heating gas, thecolnbination,

with the generator or superheater and the air and steam valves, of a rod and handle for operating the valves, and the clamping device for the rod, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In an apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating and hoatinggas,an oil or naphtha valve supply vessel composed of the case a, base b, bolted together, and provided with the glass cylinders c, and cocks or valves 9, and inlet and outlet pipes, the whole constructed and operating substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

Signed by me this 17th day of February, A. D. 1881.

JAMES S. PIERSON. 

